Raising globally aware CHILDREN

Set an example as parents for acceptance, tolerance and equality to make your children confident and self-reliant

The primary goal of any parent is to bestow upon their children the finest values, virtues and ideals to help them grow as unique individuals. We live in a multicultural global village, and we must teach our children to respect and appreciate, people of different culture, ethnicities and language. Parents should be willing to go an extra mile for their children and should encourage them to mingle with other children of different nationalities, this would help them understand the beauty of other cultures, their beliefs and ethos and embrace them with an open mindset. Establish a solid foundation with your child at home In order to encourage children learn about the nuances of the world and its structure, we should first make sure that our child is comfortable and happy in the home environment. A solid foundation of cognitive and behavioural skills is formed at a nascent stage which encourages the child to further explore the world. Encourage the development of soft skills Traits such as integrity, courtesy, honesty, accountability and empathy should be taught early. It is values like these that play an important role in building a person’s character. Teach equality Children should be kept away from toxic concepts such as racism, sexism, and religious discrimination. Respecting everyone irrespective of gender, age or religion and celebrating differences are traits we should nurture in our children. Talk to them Communication is the key here. Parents should give time to their children—talk to them, read to them, give them the attention they need. Discussing and talking to your children about anything and everything will not only help you bond closer but also build their self-esteem and make them stay culturally connected. Educate them on global food, art and music Traditions and culture are deeply rooted in food, art and music of a land. Art, music and food play an important role in creating experiential learning. So, they should be encouraged by the parents to be curious and explore art and music around the world. Travel with them Travelling is the most fun way of learning, there is no better way to understand traditions than being amongst the native people in their land. Children are better able to grasp information if it is visually presented to them. Also, travelling would create a special bond between you and your child and you would have a bunch of memories to look back in time. Be supportive Being a supportive parent means being involved, being open and not imposing your own personal beliefs on the child. The parent child relationship is strongest when children know their parents support them. This not only braces them in facing challenges that life throws at them, but also makes them positive towards life. Take them to cultural exhibits and museums Museum visits are a great way to educate the children and widen their horizon. Children tend to open up and become inquisitive about a lot of things which is good for the brain development. World museums that organise cultural programmes are interesting learning spaces where they can witness, relate and learn from history.